2022 NAACP Image Awards: 5 Roles That Led to Will Smith’s Big Win
Will Smith can now start a quartet with his NAACP Image Awards after earning his fourth trophy for “Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture” at this year’s award show for his role in King Richard. In the film, Smith portrays Richard Williams, the father of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams. The movie tells the story of how Richard developed his daughters’ talents and abilities, taking them from humble beginnings in Compton to eventually transforming them into tennis icons.
He not only earned another NAACP award to add this his already massive collection, but it also earned him his first career Golden Globe—Congrats, Will! Before you run to your DVRs to catch the show, check out five roles we think landed Will Smith his NAACP win.
Chris Gardner — The Pursuit of Happyness
Will Smith is real-life Christopher Paul Gardner, a businessman and motivational speaker who struggled with houselessness for nearly a year while raising a toddler son—subsequently portrayed by Smith’s son Jaden.—in the film adaptation based on the book of the same name.
The role earned Smith several accolades, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor—Motion Picture Drama and an NAACP Image Award nomination for “Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture”. The film ultimately scored big in the “Outstanding Motion Picture” category.
Muhammad Ali — Ali
Smith embodies the boxing legend when he utters the icon phrase, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. Rumble young man, rumble.” Unfortunately, the film did less than expected—due to what some may say as a result of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring releasing simultaneously. Still, Rotten Tomatoes wrote, “Though perhaps no film could fully do justice to the fascinating life and personality of Muhammad Ali, Mann's direction and Smith's performance combine to pack a solid punch.
Richard Williams — King Richard
In the role that earned him his Golden Globe win and has sparked discussion about an inaugural win, Smith is the man, the courage, and drive behind two of the greatest tennis player of our time, Venus and Serena Williams. The role earned Smith his first career Golden Globe win.
- advertisement
Mike Lowrey — Bad Boys
Bad boys, bad boys, watcha gonna do? In the film that started a solid cult following, Smith is Michael Eugene Lowrey but known to the many ladies who fall under his suave moves, Mike Lowrey. Smith and co-star Martin Lawrence, who plays Marcus Burnett, are two Miami narcotics detectives in the Micahel Bey-directed movie. The film was a commercial success grossing over $141,000,000 worldwide. Bad Boys received two sequels, Bad Boys II and Bad Boys for Life, released in 2003 and 2020.
Robert Clayton Dean — Enemy of The State
Smith steps out of his typical “good-guy” role as attorney Robert Clayton Dean in the 1998 Tony Scott-directed action thriller Enemy of The State. After being framed for the murder of a congressman and subsequent cover-up, Dead is public enemy number one, as he tries to prove his innocence. His performance placed the film at number 2 behind The Rugrats Movie its opening weekend.
